RFP Indian Journal of Hospital Infection

Although the incidence of electrical burns is rather low, they are considered one of the most devastating injuries, due to their high morbidity and mortality.1 Moreover, high costs are related to the long term hospitalization, the need for multiple surgical procedures and the functional sequels that might result from the original injury.2 The mechanism of injury is a result of the combination of thermal and non-thermal processes. An electric current can reach deep tissues, causing deep and extensive injuries. Depending on voltage magnitude, injury may be sustained in nerve, bone and tendon tissue, as well as in skin.3

Background: Ventilator associated pneumonia (VAP) is a type of lung infection that occurs in people who are on mechanical ventilation breathing machines in hospitals. As such, VAP typically affects critically ill persons that are in an intensive care unit (ICU). VAP is a major source of increased illness and death. Persons with VAP have increased lengths of ICU hospitalization and have up to a 20–30% death rate. The main aim of the study was to attain 0% of VAP rate in ICUs. The purpose of the study was to analyzing the standard practices in nursing care and to identify the faults in VAP bundle care checklist. Methods: We conducted a retrospective case note review of 29 electronic patient records out of a whole population size of 48 from 4 ICUS (NMICU, NSICU, CICU, COVID ICU). The sample was taken randomly from 4 main ICUS. This was done to ensure that patients had equal chance of selection and to reduce researcher bias. The information was extracted from the electronic patient notes on EMR system. The VAP bundle care checklist was audited by using VAP bundle checklist audit form. The audit form includes 5 parameters (Semi recumbent patient positioning, Ventilator weaning, PUD prophylaxis, DVT prophylaxis, Suction of secretions. Results: Most percentage distribution 10 (100%) belongs to the category of head elevation and suction, there was an equal distribution among sedation and DVT prophylaxis which was 9 (90%), the least percentage distribution7 (70%) belongs to the peptic ulcer in January month. Whereas February month, the largest category observed were in the category of head elevation, suction, peptic ulcer prophylaxis which consist 10(100%), 7(70%) were in sedation category. Followed by DVT prophylaxis 6(60%). In accordance with percentage distribution in March month, majority of compliance belongs to the category of head elevation 8(88.8%), 7(77.7%) of compliance were in the DVT prophylaxis category. 6(66.6%) in the category of sedation and 5(55.5%) were equally distributed to the category such as suction and peptic ulcer prophylaxis. The study results that overall percentage distribution of VAP bundle care parameters, 96.5% was noted in head elevation parameter and 86.2% in suction parameter. There was an equal distribution 75.8% in the category of sedation, DVT prophylaxis and peptic ulcer prophylaxis.

Introduction: Hand Hygiene is a general term that applies to hand washing, antiseptic hand wash, antiseptic hand rub, or surgical hand antisepsis. Good hand hygiene is an important aspect of protecting yourself and others from infection transmission. It is one of the most effective ways to prevent hospital care associated infection rates. Failure to perform appropriate hand hygiene is considered to be the leading cause of healthcare associated infections and spread of multi-resistant organisms such as Methicilin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA) and has been recognized as a substantial contributor to outbreaks. Methods and materials: The present study was undertaken to explore the hand hygiene compliance among health care workers. The main objectives of the study were to explore the hand hygiene compliance rate among health care workers focuses in 5 moments and to improve the hand hygiene practices among health care workers. In this study the variables were age, gender, education status of the subjects. Review of literature was discussed about the observational studies related to hand hygiene compliance. Quantitative approach was adapted for this study. The design used was co relational retrospective design. The setting of the study was selected as Sun Medical Research Centre, Thrissur. Convenient sampling technique was utilized to collect data from 872 subjects, who meet the inclusion criteria. The tool used for the study was observational checklist. The study was conducted from 1/10/2020 to 31/12/2020 in SMC, Thrissur. The collected data were analyzed on the basis of thematic analysis. Results: The findings of the study revealed that the overall hand hygiene compliance of the hospital is gradually increased from 93%-99% in the 3 month duration. But doctors were found to be more compliant with hand hygiene practice compared to nurses and other HCWs. The study showed the lowest compliance rates were among ANM and other category which gradually decreased from 99.6% to 97% and 98%-96%. Conclusion: Hand hygiene is the first line of defense against the spread of many infections. The study explored the hand hygiene compliance among health care workers. Findings of this study are useful for the health care workers to improve the awareness about hand hygiene in each unit and to protect themselves as well as patients. The study results are helpful to the quality department with the support from higher administration of the organization to enhance the compliance to 100% by Improving the availability, display of written hand hygiene protocols, supervision, feedback and quality improvement activities.

Autologous plasma rich plasma (APRP) is an increasingly popular adjunct in surgical, medical and aesthetic interventions. Their beneficial effects lie in their ability to deliver a high concentrate of growth factors.In our study APRP was utilised in a child with scald burns to evaluate the efficacy and mechanism of action of APRP in successful take of a split skin graft.

India is a developing nation with a vast health care network, effectively managing biological waste is a significant concern. The rising demand of health care services also gives light into effective biomedical waste. Because it has so many implications as a danger factor for both the health of patients, hospital employees, and extending beyond the confines of the medical institution to the general population, hospital waste generation has thus become a top issue. By doing effective management of biomedical waste management, we secure environment, as well as human health for current and future generation. India is one of the nation’s most severely affected by the COVID 19 pandemic. The immediate change in the healthcare sector compels the government to update the current biomedical waste management regulations. This paper reviews the changes occur in the management of biomedical waste in India and amendments in the law in order to improve the public health & safety during the pandemic while handling biomedical waste.

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a real problem across the world. In fact, it is fast emerging as a pandemic. Bacteria acquire resistance antibiotics by many mechanisms. However, AMR also exists in parasites and fungi. Strategic plans and concerted efforts are needed to counter the exceedingly high burden of AMR.

Purpose: Unsafe methods of food processing and food handling with relative lack of proper storage facilities possess higher risk of food-borne diseases. Current IDSP data suggested that nearly half of reported out breaks were food-borne. Proper hygienic practices are essential to preclude the microbial contamination from food establishments through sanitation barrier. Objectives: To find out the prevalence and predictors of poor hygienic practices and microbial contamination of hands among food handlers. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 137 randomly selected food handlers in Chetla, Kolkata from June to September 2019. Participants were interviewed using a predesigned, pretested schedule. Hygienic practices were observed using a predesigned pretested checklist. Micro biological assessments of hand swabs were also conducted. Data were analysed using SPSS version 16.0 and logistic regression was used. Results: Microbial contamination was observed in nearly two-third (69.3%) of the participants’ hand. High colony count (≥20 CFU/cm²) was noticed in 40% cases. Staphylococcus aureus was the commonest (36.5%) identified bacteria in their hand. Most of them (56.9%) had poor hygienic practices. Majority had an unsatisfactory level of knowledge (78.8%) and attitude (68.6%). Positive growth was significantly associated with Poor hygienic practice (P-value <0.01), unsatisfactory level of knowledge (P-value <0.01) and attitude (P-value <0.05). Conclusion: High prevalence of bacteriological growth indicated failure in safe food handling practices. Further training is needed to improve their knowledge, attitude and practices regarding safe food handling. Effective and inclusive food safety policy and legislation is the need of the hour.